How To Elevate Knee After ACL Surgery?

If you recently had ACL surgery, you should have received post-operative instructions such as keeping your knee elevated while lying down. All you have to do is elevate your knee, which sounds simple enough. But, have you been elevating it correctly, at the appropriate height, and in an ideal way? Many people do not understand how to elevate their knees, which causes pain and discomfort. As a result, this delays their rehabilitation process and recovery. If you do not elevate your leg or do it incorrectly while lying down, you may be susceptible to swelling and infection. Therefore, it is recommended that you elevate your leg correctly, as demonstrated in this article by our medical experts.

How to Elevate Leg After ACL Surgery? 

Medical professionals generally recommend lying flat on your back while elevating your leg above the level of your heart. Though many patients know that leg elevation is necessary following surgery, the techniques recommended by our group of experts need to be followed.

1. Elevate your leg above the level of your heart

Elevating your leg above the level of your heart can be helpful in reducing swelling and promote healing, particularly after a leg injury or surgery. This can help improve blood flow and reduce fluid buildup in the affected area. Place a couple of pillows underneath your leg until it is approximately 12 inches (30 cm) above your heart.

 

2. Place a pillow beneath your calf and ankle

When instructed to place a pillow under the leg, patients tend to place it under the knee. This may initially make your knee feel more comfortable, but it can lead to complications with knee extension in the future, increase pain and prolong the recovery process. Instead, place the pillow beneath your calf and ankle to keep the knee straight. This will prevent loss of  range of motion in your knee during extension, help keep the knee straight, and allow you to manage pain and swelling better.

3. Elevate your leg several times a day

Elevate your knee 3 to 4 times a day for about 15 minutes each. This time spent in elevating will aid in improving blood flow and easing any discomfort. Remember not to elevate for a prolonged period unless your doctor instructs you to do so.

4. Keep your thigh at a 45-degree angle with the bed

You should keep your thigh at a level higher than that of the bed. Maintaining a 45-degree angle between the thigh and the bed/couch is optimal for good blood flow.

5. Use a wedge pillow to elevate your lower body

In case you are using  a specialized pillow, such as a wedge pillow, to elevate your lower half of the body, place your heel on the tall edge of the wedge pillow and rest your calf on the slanting side of the pillow. This naturally gives the necessary elevation for your leg. A wedge pillow comes in different heights and sizes. You may use one in place of stacking multiple pillows to bring the right degree of elevation. 

6. Use a CPM machine in the first few weeks

A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is also a way to elevate your leg. It elevates your leg without requiring you to make any effort. Your knee is gently bent back and forth to a certain degree, and the physical therapist can alter the speed and amount of movement. You may have pain and discomfort while moving the leg in the first few weeks, and CPM may be beneficial at that time. It improves the range of motion as well as decreases pain.

 

7. Elevate the leg until the swelling subsides

We frequently receive questions about how long after surgery patients should elevate the leg. It generally depends on your leg’s range of motion and the present level of swelling. You do not need to continue elevating if you have a little swelling and complete extension. However, if swelling persists, you will need to continue elevating until it subsides. This can take weeks to months, after which consulting a therapist is recommended if the swelling persists.

8. Keep Your Knee Straight While Elevating

It might  be uncomfortable to keep your knee straight when elevating, but it is necessary following ACL surgery. This prevents strain on your newly grafted ligament (tissue obtained from another part of the knee or a deceased donor) and allows the joint to recover correctly. It is particularly vital to do if you are having difficulty attaining full knee extension range of motion in your leg (straighten the leg at a 0-degree angle).

Here are some additional points that will help you with leg elevation after ACL surgery:

• It is recommended that you sleep flat on your back so that your knee is straight with your ankle raised/elevated. 
• In case you turn your leg, turn the pillow too, parallel with your leg, so the surface of the pillow supports the backside of your leg.

It is important to elevate the leg, especially when you have excessive swelling. This will help prevent complications associated with pain and infection and help you ambulate, move and return to normal walking.  

Also note that because of differences in opinions, you need to consult your doctor/therapist regarding the time for which you should elevate the leg and whether or not you should elevate the leg during sleep. Make sure you wear loose clothing so the knee is not restrained. You should pre-arrange for a bed or couch with plenty of room, some propping pillows within your arm’s reach, and a helping hand. 

Takeaway

Elevating your legs after an ACL surgery improves blood flow, reduces swelling, and lowers the blood pressure in your legs. It also aids in the prevention of blood clots in your legs, which is one of the risks associated with ACL surgery. Following your ACL surgery, you will most likely have swelling, stiffness, and a reduced range of motion in your legs. Extensive rehabilitation is required for your recovery to be successful and to restore the full range of motion in your leg. 

Keep up with your physical therapy sessions and follow your doctor’s post-surgery instructions to avoid complications. Get in touch with our experienced team of experts at Medfin for further guidance.

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Disclaimer: The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.